during when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'during when' is not correct in written English.
The correct phrase is 'during which'. For example: I will never forget the summer during which I finally decided to start my own business.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That cliché came to mind during "When Them," the assured, resonant duet Ms. Rosenblit created for herself and her longtime collaborator, the keenly expressive Addys Gonzalez.

The New York Times - Arts

If rolling out the baby photos on the big screens during When We Were Young feels a bit mawkish, her Bond theme Skyfall and Set Fire to the Rain both sound gripping and dramatic.

The Guardian - Music

It was a journey I have repeated at intervals ever since, before and after the Olympics – but not during, when the authorities deemed it helpful to shut the station most convenient for the main stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

To examine what happens during when apps go on sale, Distimo examined the 100 top grossing apps in the iPhone App Atore, iPad App Store and Android Market.

TechCrunch

Apparently the Google-only clause was only specific to the Canadian roll out and will be lifted during when the paywall launches worldwide on March 28th.

TechCrunch

The spinach plants were observed for 5 weeks during when the potted soils were watered at 2-day intervals and kept weed-free.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

This year, like last, Thanksgiving falls during Ramadan, when Muslims fast during daylight hours.

The New York Times

They postulated that PaO2 rose during inflation when the alveoli were open and fell (during exhalation) when the alveoli collapsed [18].

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

During the Event S, the Esb layers appear during nighttime when E z is small.

Earth, Planets and Space

Eisenberg means during production, when he was shooting his scenes.

The Guardian - Film

(It is unavailable during holidays when he returns home).

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "during when" with grammatically correct alternatives like "during which", "while", or "as" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Don't use "during when" because it's grammatically redundant. "During" already implies a time frame, and "when" introduces a clause, creating an unnecessary combination. Instead, use "during which" or rephrase the sentence using "while" or "as".

Linguistic Context

Conjunction phrase, albeit grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase "during when" is incorrect, and usage should be avoided in formal writing. The primary function is to connect two events occurring simultaneously, but the construction is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "during when" appears in various sources, including news, science, and wiki articles, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives such as "during which", "while", or "as" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. Although "during when" is common, especially in informal registers, it is not advisable in formal writing. Utilizing correct alternatives enhances the credibility and precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while

A simpler and more direct conjunction to indicate simultaneous events.

during the time that

A more explicit and grammatically correct way to specify a period.

throughout the period when

Emphasizes the duration of the overlapping events.

in the course of which

A formal alternative to indicate what happens within a specific timeframe.

as

Indicates simultaneity, similar to 'while' but can also imply causality.

at the time when

Specifies a particular moment or point in time.

in the period that

Focuses on a specific span of time.

whilst

A slightly archaic synonym for 'while'.

as long as

Indicates a condition that extends for a period.

during which time

Another grammatically correct option to define a period.

FAQs

Is "during when" grammatically correct?

No, "during when" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The word "during" already implies a period of time, making the addition of "when" redundant. You should use "during which" or rephrase the sentence.

What can I use instead of "during when"?

Better alternatives include "during which", "while", or "as", depending on the specific context of your sentence. These options provide clarity and grammatical correctness.

How do I properly use "during which" in a sentence?

"During which" is used to introduce a relative clause that specifies a period of time. For example, "The project lasted for three months, during which time we faced several challenges."

Why is "during when" considered redundant?

The word "during" already indicates that something is happening within a specific timeframe. Adding "when" is unnecessary because it duplicates the temporal reference, making the phrase awkward and grammatically unsound.